Iowa Code § 225.22: Liability of private patients — payment.

Every committed private patient, if the patient has an estate sufficient for that purpose, or if those legally responsible for the patient’s support are financially able, shall be liable to the state for all expenses paid by the state on behalf of such patient. All bills for the care, nursing, observation, treatment, medicine, and maintenance of such patients shall be paid by the director of the department of administrative services in the same manner as those of committed and voluntary public patients as provided in this chapter, unless the patient or those legally responsible for the patient make such settlement with the state psychiatric hospital.